rHE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
December 2S 
87o 
; Ruralisms ; 
/VOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
Some Tomato Tests. —We try many 
new tomatoes every season, but find too 
much space required to grow the multi¬ 
tude of new varieties sent out every 
Spring. The tomato has been worked 
up to great perfection in a shoiT period, 
and though one of the most responsive 
of plants to horticultural influences, it 
cannot be expected to retain the same 
rate of improvement in the future. The 
new kinds sent out annually by seeds¬ 
men are very much alike, according to 
the type represented, but are often su¬ 
perior to existing strains in that they 
are carefully selected for special quali¬ 
ties, and, we may venture to say locali¬ 
ties, in view of the enormous geo¬ 
graphical range covered by American 
gardening operations. Aside from these 
seedsmen’s varieties we always get a 
few of home development from reader* 
of The R. N.-Y. We grow them with 
much interest, as they generally have 
some special excellence, though many 
of the qualities that go to make com¬ 
mercial value are often absent. The fol¬ 
lowing appeared most promising of this 
class: 
Eaui.y Purple. —Wm. Rapp, Terre- 
haute, 0. Planted out May 21. Strong 
and vigorous plant, fairly productive, 
large flat tomatoes, dull red in color. 
Pleasant quality, but too soft for mar¬ 
ket. Second early. 
Late Purple. —Wm. Rapp, Terre- 
haute, 0. Planted May 21. Not so rank 
in growth as the former, but more pro¬ 
ductive. Large, flat and rather soft. 
Color, deep purplish red. Very good 
quality. Late midsummer. 
Dwarf Champion Type. —G. M. Mack, 
Nicholson, Pa. Planted out May 23. Ex¬ 
ceedingly dwarf and compact, dense 
dark green foliage, so thick that it must 
be cut away from lower clusters to se¬ 
cure early ripening. More productive 
and of brighter color than Champion. 
Midseason. Under high culture makes 
a fine variety for small gardens. 
Five interesting hybrids of the very 
distinct variety Honor Bright were re¬ 
ceived from E. C. Green, Medina, 0.; 
some with broad or potato-like foliage, 
and red or purplish fruit, otners as 
dwarf and compact as Aristocrat or 
Champion. All retained the peculiarity 
first developed in their parent of color¬ 
ing the green fruits first white, then yel¬ 
low, then scarlet or crimson purple, as 
the case may be. All had the character¬ 
istic yellowish foliage of Honor Bright, 
though it varied much in form. This 
yellowness seemed to be so much ac¬ 
centuated by wet weather as to amount 
to weakness, though in average seasons 
Honor Bright is vigorous enough. The 
quality in most cases was very good 
when thoroughly matured. The various 
shadings of the fruits in the different 
stages of ripeness are not only very 
handsome, but serve to indicate the time 
for gathering in case they are to be 
shipped. All were firm enough to han¬ 
dle readily, and proved sufficiently pro¬ 
ductive considering the unfavorable sea¬ 
son. Early to medium late. 
Enemies of the Pernicious Scaj.e.— 
The recent announcement from the Na¬ 
tional Department of Agriculture that 
the natural parasite of the pervasive 
San Jos6 scale had been discovered in 
north China, in a region supposed to be 
the original home of the scale, in the 
form of a Chinese “lady bug,” is very 
encouraging, and we shall all be glad 
when the distribution of these hardy 
and energetic little beetles begins, as ac¬ 
cumulating experience makes it plain 
that the extinction of the pest by sprays 
and chemicals is a laborious and uncer¬ 
tain matter. Crude petroleum and pot¬ 
ash whale-oil soap, so often recom¬ 
mended in these columns, remain the 
only practical means for clearing in¬ 
fested trees, but it must be remembered 
that these powerful insecticides are alike 
fatal to friend and foe—^they kill the 
beneficent parasites, if present, even 
more readily than the well-armored 
scales—and should only be applied in 
late Winter, when insect life is dormant. 
We find the handsome little native 
Twice-stabbed lady beetle increasing on 
the Rural Grounds, and gathering on the 
few trees that become infested with 
scales each Summer. They stick closely 
to the trees, remaining until hard freez¬ 
ing weather, and may plainly be seen 
dining on the minute scales on sunny 
days. If removed to adjoining trees free 
from scales they soon leave and pre¬ 
sumably find their way back to their 
lunch counter. They do not breed fast 
enough, however, in the opinion of Prof. 
John B. Smith, of the New Jersey Ex¬ 
periment Station, to become an import¬ 
ant factor in exterminating the scale. It 
is to be hoped this Chinese cousin, with 
its countless generations of hereditary 
experience in dealing with scales behind 
it will prove adapted to our climate and 
conditions. Now is the time to make a 
thorough examination of all trees and 
shrubs likely to become infested, so that 
thorough work may be done with the 
spray pump in the hurried days when 
the swelling buds indicate the safest 
time for oily applications. Other para¬ 
sites of microscopic size have been re¬ 
ported as preying on the Pernicious 
scale, and it is possible that natural ene¬ 
mies of this character may so increase 
as materially to check its spread among 
wild plants, but cultivated trees will 
doubtless require special attention and 
vigorous treatme nt when infested for a 
long time to come. In the light of our 
own experience, and in consideration of 
the importance of the subject, we make 
no apology for repeating the advice 
closely to examine all trees and shrubs 
about the farm, and send specimens of 
infested twigs and bark to the nearest 
Experiment Station if in doubt as to the 
character of the pest. If identified as 
Pernicious or San Jos6 scale it will be 
well to head back severely just before 
growth starts, coat the large wounds 
with paint or shellac, and spray thor¬ 
oughly with petroleum or whale-oil soap 
solution, (two pounds of soap to a gal¬ 
lon of warm water) when the buds show 
signs of swelling. We use the oil pure 
on trees showing any incrustation of 
scales, and the soap solution when only 
scattering young scales can be detected. 
The oil is most effectual, and. is visible 
for nearly a year, limiting the spread 
of anj' scales that may be missed fo:- 
that time, but it is known to be more 
dangerous to the tree, thougn we never 
have had any ill effects. The object o'; 
pruning is to reduce the surface to be 
treated, as it is not easy to coat fine 
twigs completely with oil or thick soapy 
solutions without getting an excess 
about the trunk. The trimmings should 
be piled in some convenient place and 
left until late May or June to allow any 
insect parasites to escape, and then 
burned. w. v. r. 
THE OHIO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
Part I. 
The thirty-fifth annual meeting of this 
society was held at I.ancaster, O., Decem¬ 
ber 4-5-6. The weather being fine, the at¬ 
tendance good and the programme of more 
than ordinary interest, the convention was 
a success in every particular. The reports 
from members of the various districts of 
the State, indicated a variable crop of ap¬ 
ples, probably averaging 50 per cent of a 
full crop. However, those who grimly 
maintained their grip on the pump and 
nozzie and kept their poisonous Bordeaux 
fog fiying, were richly rewarded. The Cox 
Brothers, of Lawrence County, who make 
a specialty of growing Rome Beauties, re- 
jiorted a moderate crop of very fine apples— 
aggregating 1.700 barrels. The last of their 
fancy grade of Rome Beauties sold for $5 
per barrel. Notwithstanding all that has 
been said against the KielTer pear, reports 
from nearly all sections of the State place 
it at the head of the list for profit. Kieffers, 
this season, sold from $1 to $1.50 per bushel, 
and the demand was not satisfied. Peaches 
were reported a heavy crop from all sec¬ 
tions of the State. Young trees and those 
from which much of the fruit had been 
thinned, produced fine specimens that sold 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
from 75 cents to $1.50 per bushel, while un- 
thinned trees were broken under their great 
burden of undersized fruit that could be 
purchased for almost any figure from 50 
cents down. The plum crop, though vari¬ 
able, and affected seriously, in some locali¬ 
ties, by rotting, was above the average. 
The Japan varieties had their second in¬ 
ning, in our State, since their introduction. 
The first crop of Ogon, on trees planted 
nine years, was reported. They were large, 
beautiful and of fair quality, but the lia- 
'bility of the bloom to be killed by late 
frosts makes them unprofitable to grow for 
market or home use. Burbank bore well, 
but rotted badly in many places. It is the 
general verdict that although the “Japs” 
are very attractive in form and color, and 
sell fairly well, they cannot compare with 
our better European varieties. The Brad¬ 
shaw is undoubtedly at the head of its class 
as an early plum. Lombard holds its own 
as a reliable general-purpose variety. Im¬ 
perial Gage was mentioned as having done 
well the past season, and is highly appre¬ 
ciated for its fine quality. Richland was 
quite favorably mentioned by those who 
have tested it. It is said to be superseding 
the damson wherever it is becoming known. 
Archduke. Grand Duke and Monarch are 
recognized as leaders among the large, late 
plums, and promise to be a source of profit 
because of their season of ripening and 
c-omparative freedom from rot. G. W. Gib 
i)f Oolumbus, described a new plum, or 
rather an old one that is iusi becoming 
know 1 outside the neighborhood in which 
it originated. The original tree came from 
a seed planted in 1825. Mr. Kelso, for 
whom the plum has been named, purchased 
the farm, on which the old tree was still 
alive, in 1866; since which time the variety 
has become a local favorite among the 
farmers of Sabina, Clinton Co. The Kelso 
is a dark blue in color, from one-third to 
one-half larger than the damson. In form 
it is nearly round. The flesh is a rich, dark 
red. It is a freestone with a seed smaller 
than the damson. It is said not to suffer 
from the curculio, and is not susceptible 
to black knot. Another member stated that 
he knew the Kelso, and that it is promis¬ 
ing for home use and market. 
F. II. BALLOU. 
BOTTLE BABIES 
Bottle babies are so likely 
to get thin. What can be 
done ? More milk, condensed 
milk, watered milk, household 
mixtures—try them all. Then 
try a little Scott’s Emulsion in 
the bottle. 
It does for babies what it 
does for old folk.s—gives new, 
firm flesh and strong life. 
You’ll be pleased with the re¬ 
sult. It takes only a little in 
milk to make baby fat. 
Wc'llsencl you a little to try, if you like. 
SCOTT & BOVVNE, 409 Pearl street. New York. 
TI * ' ' 
D1ETZ< 
Docs. 
ItL 
1®; 
DIETZ LWEitHlS 
are always cleanly, safe, neat and strong; 
yield abundant light; will not blow or jar 
out; burn little oil, mechanically perfect. 
DIETZ 
MonarchTubularLantern 
standard Size—For Kerosene 
Is the ideal lantern for farm and general 
uses: has all the Dietz quality that our tIO 
years of lamp making assures. 
If you don’t find it at your dealers, send 
us $1 and we will send you one, express 
prepaid, guaranteed to suit or your money 
back. Catalogue free. 
R. E. DIETZ COMPANY, 
87 LaightSt. New York City. 
Established 1840. 
Small crops, unsalable veg¬ 
etables, result from want of 
Potash. 
Vegetables arc especially 
fond of Potash. Write for 
our fj'ce pamphlets. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
93 Nassau St., New York. 
Miito fnr pages, 50c. Testimoniah 
llUlO lUI rlUlll free. I. R. PARRY, Parry, N..T 
December I to April 1. Orlando, Fla. 
A” SHAPE, 
* Narrows 
To 30 inches 
This admits of widest adjustment—TK feet wide 
lor Held work and can be narrowed down to 80 In. 
for work between rows. Front wheel makes It 
run easy and steady. Flat teeth with diamond 
points. W'c muH \\ eeder Ituok let Free. Make 
Corn Plantei'S, Cultivators, Harrows. Rollers, etc. 
Ask for Cutulugue O. 
KEYSTONE FARM MACH. CO.,1547 N. Beaver Sf.. York, Pa. 
THE CHAIN-HANGING 
Cattle Stanchion 
The most practical and humane Fastener ever in¬ 
vented. Gives perfect freedom of the head. 1 llustrated 
Circular and Price free on application. Manufactured 
by O, H. KOBEKTSON, Forestvitle, Conn, 
The HEht Cattle 
Fastening. 
SMITH’S Self- 
Adjasting Swing 
Stanchion The only 
Practical swing stan¬ 
chion Invented. Thou¬ 
sands in use. Hlust'd 
Circular free. 
GLENORA MFG. CO., 
Glenora, Yates County, 
N Y. Infringements 
will be prosecuted. 
Do You Use Water] 
Then you need a power to pump it to [ 
your house or barn. The 
Dtp’P’ Hydraulic Engine 
■ ■■ • is the beat. Pumps more water. I 
Never stops. Requires no at- I 
tentioD. sold on SO days | 
trial. Send for free book. | 
RIFE ENGINE CO.. 
122 Liberty St.. New Yt 
Gasoline Engine 
I T C r* rv Any Place 
I I \ H I B By Any One 
For Any Purpose 
Stationariea, J^ortablea, Enginea 
and PumpSf Soiatera 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and 
Testimonials. State your Power Needs. 
Charter Gas Engine Co., Box 26, Sterling, III. 
MIETZ & WEISS 
Kerosene Engines 
Cheapest and Safest Pouter 
Known. For pumping and 
electric lighting, grinding 
corn, separating cream, 
sawing wood, and all power 
purposes. Awarded Oold 
Medal t’an-American Exp., 
Butlaio, 1901. Send for Cat. 
A. MIETZ, 
128 Mott Street, New York. 
NO SPAVINS 
The worst pos.sible spavin can be cured in 
45 minutes. Ringbones, - Curbs and Splints 
just as quick. Not painful and never has 
failed. Detailed information about this 
new method sent free to horse owners. 
Write today. Ask for pamphlet No. 88 
Fleming Bros., Chemists, Union Stock Yds., Chicago. 
Sharpen your own Horse. 
THE BLIZZARD 
the greatest of all 
HORSEICE CALKS 
Agents Wanted. Address, 
S.W.KENT.Cazenovia.N.Y. 
